Applicator for a Cosmetic Product and Associated Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

An applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core and protrusions projecting from the core. The core extends along a main longitudinal axis of extension, referred to as the main axis (X). The protrusions being moulded with the core. The protrusions are arranged in longitudinal rows (R), the rows (R) comprising protrusions which differ from one another, at least by the shape thereof, the inclination thereof relative to the main axis (X), and the dimensions thereof. One of the rows (R) comprising at least one protrusion which is identical to at least one of the protrusions, which differ from one another, of at least one other of said rows (R). An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising an applicator of the type described above.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to French Application Serial No.1457313, filed Jul. 29, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator and to anassociated applicator assembly.

BACKGROUND

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular for cosmeticproducts to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, comprising areceptacle containing the cosmetic product and an applicator capable ofbeing removably attached to the receptacle, are known.

The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body having walls whichdelimit a container which contains the cosmetic product, and a neckdefining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be removed.

The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable for beingattached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap and an applicatorattached to a free end of the rod. The applicator comprises a core and aplurality of protrusions extending from the core.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extendwithin the container. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic productcontained in the container.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck andremoves the applicator from the container.

It is known to produce applicators by means of moulding. An advantage ofmoulded applicators is that they permit significant freedom,particularly in shape.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is that of proposing an applicatorhaving moulded protrusions making it possible to obtain differentmake-up effects.

The invention therefore relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product,in particular for mascara, comprising a core and protrusions projectingfrom said core, said core extending along a main longitudinal axis ofextension, referred to as the main axis, said protrusions being mouldedwith the core.

According to the invention, said protrusions are arranged inlongitudinal rows, said rows comprising protrusions which differ fromone another, at least by the shape thereof, the inclination thereofrelative to the main axis, and the dimensions thereof, one of said rowscomprising at least one protrusion which is identical to at least one ofsaid protrusions, which differ from one another, of at least one otherof said rows.

The applicator of the invention comprises protrusions which differ fromone another, in particular by a plurality of technical features. Thishas the advantage, for a non-expert user, of being able to achievedifferent make-up effects which are usually obtained by means of aplurality of different applicators. The presence of identicalprotrusions within the applicator makes it possible, for its part, toensure the sufficient existence of each of said effects.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be takentogether or separately:

-   -   the rows of protrusions extend over the entire periphery of the        core,    -   said protrusions are all inclined with respect to the main axis,    -   the applicator according to the invention has a proximal end and        a distal end, opposite said proximal end, along the main axis,    -   said protrusions are all inclined with respect to the main axis        towards said distal end,    -   the protrusions in a row are arranged at least in pairs, forming        a heterogeneous pattern of protrusions, said heterogeneous        pattern repeating regularly along the main axis,    -   the protrusions in a row are arranged at least in threes,        referred to as a pattern of three,    -   the protrusions of said pattern of three are separated from one        another according to a different pitch,    -   the pitch between each heterogeneous pattern is substantially        constant,    -   the pitch between each heterogeneous pattern is different from        that or those according to which the protrusions of said pattern        of three are separated from one another,    -   said protrusions project from the core, having a foot connecting        to the core, a main elongation direction, and a free end        opposite said foot along said elongation direction,    -   said protrusions are narrowed at the foot thereof,    -   said protrusions have a semi-circular cross section,    -   said semi-circular cross section is present over the entire        length of said protrusions,    -   the protrusions each have a planar surface,    -   the protrusions are positioned such that the planar surfaces of        two adjacent protrusions of two neighbouring rows are oriented        in the same direction of rotation,    -   the rows are identical, optionally being axially offset and/or        having one more and/or one fewer row-end protrusion from one row        to another,    -   said rows are radially spaced around the periphery of the core        at a constant angular distance,    -   the core is solid,    -   the core is made of plastics material,    -   the protrusions are made of plastics material,    -   the core and the protrusions are moulded from the same material,    -   the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmeticproduct which comprises a receptacle having a body which forms acontainer intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator asdescribed above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle suchthat the applicator is housed within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and its other aims, details,features and advantages will become more clearly apparent in thedetailed explanatory description that follows of at least one embodimentof the invention given as a purely illustrative and non-limitingexample, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevated view of an embodiment of an applicator accordingto the invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the applicator shown in FIG. 1, along theaxis A-A marked in said FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a partial, substantially inclined isometric view of theapplicator shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is the same view as that of FIG. 4, the applicator shown havingundergone a rotation about the main longitudinal axis of extensionthereof.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the invention relates to an applicator 10 for acosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core 12 andprotrusions 20 projecting from said core 12.

Said core 12 extends along a main longitudinal axis of extension,referred to hereinafter as the main axis, and marked X in the drawings,in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3. Said core 12 has a proximal end 13 and adistal end 16 opposite said proximal end 13 along said main axis X.

The protrusions 20 are moulded with the core 12. The core 12 is mouldedin plastics material, as are the protrusions 20 which are, preferably,moulded using the same plastics material as the core 12, or even forminga single piece with the core 12. For example, the core 12 and theprotrusions 20 can be moulded in a material based on LDPE (low-densitypolyethylene). Other materials may also be used, namely the material“Exact” from ExxonMobil or the material “Hytrel” from Dupont, or amixture of these materials.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protrusions 20 of the invention arearranged in longitudinal rows R. Said rows R are substantially parallelto the main axis X.

Within the context of the invention, said rows R comprise protrusions 20which differ from one another, at least by the shape thereof, theinclination thereof relative to the main axis, and the dimensionsthereof. In other words, each row R comprises protrusions 20 whichdiffer from one another, at least by the shape thereof, the inclinationthereof relative to the main axis, and the dimensions thereof. In otherwords again, inside of a same row R, protrusions 20 differ from oneanother, at least by the shape thereof, the inclination thereof relativeto the main axis, and the dimensions thereof.

In particular, with regard to the variation in the shape thereof, theprotrusions 20 may advantageously be curved to a greater or lesserextent.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of particularly curved protrusions,referenced 21. The protrusions referenced 22 and 23 in said FIGS. 4 and5 are less curved than said protrusions referenced 21. The advantage ofthe particularly curved protrusions 21 is the ability thereof to beloaded with a cosmetic product in order to return a large amount of thecosmetic product to the users eyelashes.

Said protrusions 21, 22, 23 each have a main elongation direction whichforms an angle with the main axis X. With regard to the variation in theinclination thereof, the protrusions referenced 22 in FIGS. 4 and 5 havea main elongation direction which forms a smaller angle with the mainaxis X than that formed between the main elongation directions of theprotrusions 21, 23 and the main axis X. The effect of combing theeyelashes outwards which is obtained using the protrusions referenced 22is thus more accentuated than when it is obtained using the protrusionsreferenced 21, 23.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show protrusions 21, 22, 23 which are all inclined withrespect to the main axis X, in particular towards said distal end 16.

The advantage associated with said inclination is in the orientationobtained for the eyelashes: the eyelashes are combed outwards as aresult of the inclination of said protrusions 21, 22, 23. In otherwords, said inclination of the protrusions 21, 22, 23 brings the user'seyelashes to the side of their face in order to give the expression ofsaid user an effect of openness.

As mentioned above, the protrusions 20 also differ in the dimensionsthereof.

For example, in FIG. 3, two types of protrusions, referenced 21 and 23,are shown, each having its own thickness e21, e23.

The thickness e21 is, for example, of approximately 0.6 mm whereas thethickness e23 is, for example, of approximately 0.4 mm.

This difference in thickness between the protrusions 20, in particularbetween the protrusions referenced 21 and 23, makes it possible toprovide protrusions dedicated to combing the eyelashes and otherprotrusions dedicated to loading the eyelashes. The protrusionsreferenced 21, which are in this case thinner than the protrusionsreferenced 23, are dedicated to combing the eyelashes, whereas theprotrusions referenced 23, which are thicker, are dedicated to loadingthe eyelashes. Indeed, the protrusions 21, which are thinner, areflexible and thus easy to wipe: they are suitable for combing theeyelashes. The protrusions referenced 23, which are thicker, are rigidand thus difficult to wipe: they have a high cosmetic product loadingcapacity.

Thus, the protrusions 21, 22, 23 which differ by the shape thereof, theinclination thereof relative to the main axis, and the dimensionsthereof, each provide an advantageous make-up effect for the user.

Moreover, a row R comprises at least one protrusion which is identicalto at least one of said protrusions, which differ from one another, ofat least one other of said rows adjacent to said row R, substantially atthe same height along the core.

The effect associated with a given protrusion, with the shape thereof,the inclination thereof and the dimensions thereof, is thus ensured. Inother words, the applicator 10 of the invention comprises protrusions21, 22, 23 which, certainly, differ from one another, but each type ofprotrusion 21, 22, 23 is sufficiently repeated on the periphery of thecore 12 in order to ensure the associated make-up effect.

Secondly, the protrusions 21, 22, 23 of a row R are assembled at leastin pairs, forming a heterogeneous pattern of protrusions 21, 22, 23,said heterogeneous pattern repeating regularly along the main axis X.

In the embodiment shown here, the protrusions 21, 22, 23 of a row R areassembled in threes, referred to as a pattern of three, and referencedM3 in particular in FIG. 2.

The protrusions 21, 22, 23 of said pattern of three M3 are separatedfrom one another according to a pitch p1-p6.

In the embodiment of the row shown in detail in FIG. 4, the pitch p1between the protrusions referenced 21 and 22 is of approximately 1 mm.The pitch p2 between the protrusions referenced 22 and 23 is, for itspart, of approximately 1.5 mm.

Moreover, the pitch p3 between each heterogeneous pattern M3 issubstantially constant along the main axis X, here of approximately 1.9mm.

The pitch p3 between each heterogeneous pattern M3 is preferablydifferent from those of p1 and p2 according to which the protrusions 21,22, 23 of said pattern of three M3 are separated from one another.

It should be noted that the rows R of protrusions 20 extend over theentire periphery of the core 12. In other words, in an embodiment ofthis type, no angular region without protrusions is provided around thecore 12.

Said rows R may be identical to one another.

They may also differ from one another, in particular by the value of thepitches p1, p2, p4, p5 which separate the protrusions 21, 22, 23 fromone another within the same heterogeneous pattern M3, or by the pitchp3, p6 which separates two heterogeneous patterns M3 from one another.The pitches p1-p3, p4-p6 are advantageously the same within a given row.

The adjacent rows R may furthermore be offset with respect to oneanother in the extension direction of the core X. “Offset” means thatthe protrusions 20 of a row R are axially offset with respect to theprotrusions 20 of the adjacent rows R. Said rows may furthermore haveone more or one fewer protrusion at the end of the rows R.

Secondly, the protrusions 21, 22, 23 project from the core 12, having afoot connecting to the core 12, a main elongation direction as set outabove, and a free end opposite said foot along said elongationdirection.

It should be noted that the protrusions 21, 22, 23 are, in this case,narrowed at the foot thereof. Said protrusions each have their own footsize b21, b22, b23. Said foot size b21, b22, b23, measured along themain axis X, is for example of approximately 0.5 mm for the protrusionsreferenced 21, of approximately 0.55 mm for those referenced 22, and ofapproximately 0.6 mm for those referenced 23.

The advantage associated with the narrowed foot of said protrusions 21,22, 23 lies in the flexibility thus granted to said protrusion 21, 22,23. In this case, the difference between the foot sizes b21, b22, b23provides different flexibilities to said protrusions 21, 22, 23 withinthe same row R and around the core 12. This thus produces differentmake-up effects.

The free ends of the protrusions 20 form, for their part, an envelope E,the shape of which may vary without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, the height h20 of the protrusions 20 may varywithin the same row R from the proximal end 13 to the distal end 16 soas to form envelopes E which are substantially concave or convex atleast in part, or envelopes having a plurality of peaks. “Height of theprotrusions” means the height h20 measured between the main axis X ofthe core and the free end of said protrusions. In other words, “heightof the protrusions” means the radial extension thereof measured fromsaid main axis X projected on an orthogonal plane about said main axisX.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, said height h20 of the protrusions is ofapproximately 4 mm for example.

In this case, the core 12 has a transverse section which is round fromthe proximal end 13 to the distal end 16, the protrusions 20 of a row Rbeing angularly spaced apart from the protrusions 20 of another row R,at least at the feet thereof, having a radial spacing between saidadjacent rows R around the periphery of the core 12 which is producedaccording to a constant angular distance, referenced α in FIG. 3. Saidangular distance α is in the range of between [10° and 90°]; it ispreferably 30°.

Furthermore, the protrusions 20 have a transverse section with respectto their elongation direction which may be semi-circular, thus forming aplanar surface on each protrusion 20.

Said protrusions 20 are positioned such that the planar surfaces of twoadjacent protrusions 20 are oriented in the same direction of rotationabout the core 12. This means that the protrusions 20 in a first row Rall have a planar face that is radially oriented in a first directionabout the core 12, and that the planar faces of the protrusions 30 inrows adjacent to the first row Rare oriented in the same direction aboutthe core 12. In other words, no planar face is opposite another planarface. The moulding of said protrusions 20 with the core 12 is thereforeeasy, because it allows the use of sliding mould cores which are simplein shape, all have substantially the same shape, and are all radiallyoriented in the same direction.

It should be noted that the core 12 is provided so as to be solid. It isalso possible, in another embodiment which is not shown, for the core 12to be hollow.

It should also be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously forms abrush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmeticproduct, comprising a receptacle (not shown) having a body which forms acontainer intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator10, as described above, suitable for being attached to the receptacle,so that the applicator is housed inside the container.

Said applicator 10 is attached by means of a cylindrical sleeve 14 tothe end of a rod (not shown), the rod itself being attached to a cap(not shown) that is advantageously screwed to the receptacle. Acylindrical sleeve 14 of this kind is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Saidcylindrical sleeve 14 is positioned in the extension of the core 12,starting at the proximal end 13, and extends along said main axis X.

After assembly, the cylindrical sleeve 14 is positioned in the rod andthe proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of theapplicator 10.

In the embodiment shown here, the distance h12 which separates theproximal 13 and distal 16 ends from the core 12, measured along saidmain axis X, is of approximately 3 cm for example.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. Inparticular, it is also conceivable, in additional embodiments, for theapplicator to have a curved core.

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara,comprising a core and protrusions projecting from said core, said coreextending along a main longitudinal axis of extension, referred to asthe main axis (X), said protrusions being moulded with the core,characterised by the fact that said protrusions are arranged inlongitudinal rows (R), said rows (R) comprising protrusions which differfrom one another, at least by the shape thereof, the inclination thereofrelative to the main axis (X), and the dimensions thereof, one of saidrows (R) comprising at least one protrusion which is identical to atleast one of said protrusions, which differ from one another, of atleast one other of said rows (R).
 2. Applicator according to claim 1,wherein said protrusions are all inclined with respect to the main axis(X).
 3. Applicator according to claim 1, having a proximal end and adistal end, opposite said proximal end, along the main axis (X), saidprotrusions all being inclined with respect to the main axis (X),towards said distal end.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein theprotrusions of a row (R) are assembled at least in pairs, forming aheterogeneous pattern of protrusions, said heterogeneous patternrepeating regularly along the main axis (X).
 5. Applicator according toclaim 4, wherein the protrusions of a row (R) are assembled at least inthrees, referred to as a pattern of three (M3).
 6. Applicator accordingto claim 5, wherein the protrusions of said pattern of three (M3) areseparated from one another according to a different pitch (p1, p2, p4,p5).
 7. Applicator according to claim 6, wherein the pitch (p3, p6)between each heterogeneous pattern (M3) is substantially constant. 8.Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the pitch (p3, p6) between eachheterogeneous pattern (M3) is different from that or those (p1, p2, p4,p5) according to which the protrusions of said pattern of three (M3) areseparated from one another.
 9. Applicator according to claim 1, whereinsaid protrusions project from the core, having a foot connecting to thecore, a main elongation direction, and a free end opposite said footalong said elongation direction, said protrusions being narrowed at thefoot thereof.
 10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein saidprotrusions have a semi-circular cross section.
 11. Applicator accordingto claim 1, wherein the protrusions each have a planar surface. 12.Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the protrusions are positionedsuch that the planar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions of twoneighbouring rows (R) are oriented in the same direction of rotation.13. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said rows (R) are radiallyspaced around the periphery of the core at a constant angular distance(a).
 14. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: areceptacle having a body which forms a container intended to contain thecosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1 that is capableof being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housedwithin the container.